2023: New Jersey Generals 10 @ Birmingham Stallions 27

The last Stallions post (current version of the team) involved the 2022 divisional championship game. Since that was added, a page specific to that year's league championship was added to the banner above as well.

Today we're looking back at the 2023 season opener for the Stallions. The text is from Fox Sports College Football writer RJ Young, while the photography was, as is usually the came, copied from social media and therefore uncredited.

The Stallions forced a turnover on the Generals’ first possession of the game after Nate Holley knocked the ball free from Braeden Bowman.

Then, with their first offensive play of the 2023 season, Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith hit USFL newcomer Austin Watkins for a 61-yard TD throw and catch. It was Watkins' only catch of the game, but it set the tone.

...things didn't get much better for the Generals. Their next four possessions ended in punts, and they converted just four of their first 12 third downs into first downs.

Generals quarterback Dakota Prukop was solid in splitting time with starter De'Andre Johnson, completing 13 of his 17 passes for 148 yards. But in the third quarter and trailing just 17-10, Prukop surrendered a fumble that changed the game. 

After the Stallions recovered, they hit New Jersey with an explosive play, with Stallions quarterback Alex McGough rushing for a 29-yard TD to put Birmingham ahead 24-10.

While the Generals made four trips inside the Stallions' 20, they scored on just one of them.

With 6:49 left to play, the Stallions let kicker Brandon Aubrey put the game out of reach at 27-10 with a 49-yard field goal, his field goal of the evening.

In last season's opener between these teams, McGough was forced to leave the game due to injury after just eight offensive snaps. 

On Saturday, he came off the bench in place of Smith late in the second quarter, putting the Stallions up 17-10 just before the half with a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jace Sternberger.

McGough ended up completing 7 of 11 passes for 68 yards and also led the Stallions in rushing yards with 52 on just five carries, scoring twice on the ground. His ability to extend plays and manipulate the middle of the defense with his speed created an advantage for the Stallions and a headache for the Generals' defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.

With Sternberger, along with wideouts Davion Davis and Myron Mitchell, Holtz’s passing attack demonstrated the strength of the team’s depth, depending on three newcomers to carry them offensively while their run game produced just 88 yards on 21 carries.

Sternberger caught all five of his targets for 62 yards and his first USFL TD from his roommate, McGough. Sternberger's contributions demonstrated the kind of talent on display in the USFL, and just how difficult it can be to make a roster in this league.

The Stallions won despite dealing with significant injuries on offense and defense.

Last year’s leading receiver, Marlon Williams, tore his right Achilles tendon, left the game just before halftime, and is likely out for the season. Linebacker Scooby Wright was forced to the sideline early in the first half and for the remainder of the game with a calf strain that hampered him all week in practice. Smith left the game in the second quarter after dislocating a finger on his non-throwing hand.

But the Stallions managed a resounding win while down multiple starters against one of the toughest teams in the North Division from last season.